Good Shepherd School’s Annual Easter Basket started out modestly three years ago, with organizers hoping to get at least 250 Easter baskets for area children in need.
“Our goal the first year was 250 baskets. We had hundreds more. This year, it’s 1,500,” said teacher, mom and volunteer Kellie McIntosh. “We already have 800 completed. It has blossomed into something amazing.”
People have been giving, and students, staff and faculty have been a big force behind the drive.
“There are over 1,700 children in the child welfare system across five counties we would like to help, she said. “With the success of this campaign, I would like to take it statewide in the future. That would also be amazing.”
People have time until April 18 to donate. Donations can be a full basket, supplies to make them, including unwrapped candy, or a financial donation so McIntosh can go buy whatever is needed to finish the baskets.
“We’re donating them to ACT, the Abused Counseling Treatment Center for Women and Children of Lee County, shelters, the Children’s Network of Lee County and more.”
The school is located at the corner of Hancock Bridge Parkway and Orange Grove Boulevard, near the border of North Fort Myers and Cape Coral.
Student Chris Johnson has helped the drive incredibly as the Easter Bunny in helping to get donations.
He promotes the drive in full costume in the school’s car line and more. He even went to an Everblades game in costume, handing out flyers. He is an eighth-grader from Alva.
When asked what he would like to pursue as a career, Johnson said he would like to go into sports or law enforcement.
What McIntosh does not finish at school, she works on at home with the help of husband Daniel McIntosh, daughters Alexys and Abigail and son Kaden. Their home is like Easter basket central at times, with all they do.
The school is also a family affair.
“Both my brother and I have been to school right here,” she said. “My mom, Donna Jekel, is a teacher and the principal. She taught here for over 20 years now and my children attend the school.”
Many local businesses are drop-off points, besides the school.
They include: Dance Dimensions, at 922 N.E. Eighth St., Cape Coral; Top Notch Carpet Care, at 1950 Ricardo Ave., Fort Myers; Ice Cream Club of Cape Coral, at 2301 Del Prado Blvd. S. and 2384 Surfside Blvd., both Cape Coral; Victory Layne Chevrolet, at 3980 Fowler St., Fort Myers; and Good Shepherd School, at 4770 Orange Grove Blvd., North Fort Myers.
For information, call the school at 995-7711.